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Isolated Atrial Fibrillation Episodes: Is Ablation a Good Fit?
I have atrial fibrillation. I have very isolated episodes. The last one was in the summer of 2021.
A good friend also has AF and had ablation. He mentioned that in his recent discussion with his cardiologist, the cardiologist told him that ablation was being questioned due to new scientific findings. I could not find this information anywhere in my research.
I don't want to second guess my friend's comment, but I wonder if anyone here has heard of this supposed new research?
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I didn't get tested, and dudn't know I had AFIB.
I went to the ER for month long virus. They took my blood presure and it was 140 over 90. They hooked me up to sensors and told me my heart did not have a good rhythm.
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1 ReactionThe burden is calculated very simply: Avg No Beats/hr/Avg No Irregular Beats with the average computed using the entire data set, all hours you were on the monitor. The technical definition is 'the longest run of AF on any one day during a 30 day evaluation.' Well, nobody I know wears a Holter for 30 days, or lies on their back during a horribly long ECG somewhere. So the Holter is a best guess, but based solely on the 1-7 days that he/she is likely to be asked to wear one. The burden calculation is therefore always an extrapolation out to 30 days.
https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIR.0000000000000568
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1 Reactionall I can say is, I wouldn't take it. Here is the side effects -
Spinal bleeding
Swelling of the face or tongue
Allergic reaction
Eliquis withdrawal symptoms
Thrombocytopenia
Tiredness
Anemia
Bleeding from cuts
Chest pain or tightness
Constipation
Wheezing
You have no symptoms, but docs want you to take a pill that possibly does one or more of the above. Really???
I wore mine for 30 days!
Yes and I’ve discussed this with cardiologist two days after the visit and with my GP. Both agree I need it.
Excellent..I now know one person who was asked to do so. That's a very long time, and if it took that long to determine if you have an arrythmia, it probably, not absolutely, means you have a very slight burden.
The medication that I, if I were a consulted cardiologist (I'm just a retired Army officer), would ask you to seriously consider before declining, based on your very low burden, is a DOAC (Daily Oral Anti-Coagulant). This is only to reduce the chances of a stroke from AF, if that is what you have. I wouldn't recommend any beta or calcium channel blockers......unless....when you DO have the arrhythmia your rate is high, say over 140 BPM. Even so, you self-revert to NSR after a short time, and all is good again. It would be different if your rate stayed over 100 for a day, two, three...that's a problem and you would need a BB or CCB.
Unaware of AFib, I had a stroke so please take your anti-co.agulant.
cherio JOY. (Tuckie)
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1 ReactionUNHELPFUL.
Because if your CHADS score is higher than 1 - 1 fr female, 1 for over 65 etc you should take a DOAC.
I have taken PRADAXA 110 x twice daily for 5 .3 years.
None of the above have happened. If I forget I space it out. Put 2 out at night. Every night but sometimes fall asleep.
I have RAPID and Persistent AF with no start or stop symptoms.
Try another one is research shows bad side effects.
I take PRADAXA with fruit juice or fruit.
I have had 3 ops since taking them. Stop 3 x 24hr prior. SWEET and return when anaesthetist says.
PIP is now research that is foremost.
check it out.
AF without symptoms cause you have persistent is a hidden risk. 1 made stray clot nay cause a stroke/heart attack like what happened to me.
But mine undiagnosed AF was caused by thyroid cancer diagnosed on day 4 when a carotid arteries scan showed a shadow on my thyroid. Carcinoma 17mm x 9mm!
cherio JOY. (tuckie)
Hi! Did he explain what kind of findings? Is he referí g better ways to do ablations or new technologies?
I’m going through a very difficult time with meds. Flecainide which is very dangerous and now I’m on Multaq which it as bad 🤦♀️ scared and thinking about an ablation but not convinced either because some friends Gad to go through it three times. Nit encouraging.
My ekg and echo were nearly perfect which is why the cardiologist had me wear the Holter for 30 days. He wanted a longer measurement period. My afib episodes were rare and none were over 140 and always immediately went back to normal or even slightly low BPM. I am only being prescribed to prevent stroke. Thanks for your discussion.